Janelle Monáe Teases 2024 Halloween Costume That Is 2 Years in the Making: ‘An Iconic Movie Character’ (Exclusive)

Janelle Monáe tends to go all out for Halloween — but this year her costume will take two years to make.

Speaking with PEOPLE in a new interview to promote her role as host of AMC’s FearFest this Halloween season, Monáe, 38, talked about why dressing up for the spooky holiday is one of her favorite things to do — and the story behind her upcoming costume of year.

“I like to transform,” she says, looking back at some of her most elaborate costumes over the years. “And I think one of the reasons I figured out, I think, Halloween and getting into characters, is that it brings me joy.”

In recent years, Knives out: glass bow star has made headlines with his costumes, which include famous singers like David Bowie, sci-fi characters like The fifth elementThe Blue Lagoon diva, and even animals — like her head-to-toe chameleon costume in 2023.

Janelle Monae at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 10, 2013.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

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“I can work, and move and travel, and try to solve problems, and I haven’t gotten a chance to really understand the lyrics to this song. But whenever people want to talk to me about Halloween, my cortisol levels just drop, and I’m happier,” she says. she. “… It’s something I’ve been doing privately since childhood until now.”

“It makes me happy when other people around me give themselves permission to transform, give themselves permission to step out of their everyday lives and transform into someone they might want to look like, or in a movie, or want to look like in a cartoon or look like in a horror movie,” adds Monáe. “They really get creative.”

For Monáe, that creative spirit that takes hold of people every October is “how I want to live all the time.”

“Yes, the rest of the world is finally realizing and giving themselves permission to be silly, gory, scary, angelic, whatever it is, you give yourself permission to experiment,” she adds. “And that’s what I love about it. So I let myself do that. And I take my costume seriously.”

As for her 2024 costume, Monáe says she’s had a bit of a bump in her plans — but that won’t stop her from going all out this year.

Janelle Monae for AMC FearFest.

AMC networks

“I actually shared a costume idea with someone’s team and tried to get a price on what it would cost. And then I found out that person was going to be it,” she reveals of her costume planning process. “And I’ve been planning this costume for two years.”

But will he give up on the idea? Definitely not, she tells PEOPLE, revealing that her look will be an “iconic movie character.”

“I will have more costumes,” she adds. “So last year I couldn’t be the costume that I’m going to be this year because of the strike. And I stood in solidarity with my fellow actors and writers. And they asked us not to be movie characters. So the only indication I can give is that it movie character.”

She continues, “It’s such a happy thing for me to think, ‘Oh, I’m going to be able to transform into this.’ I remember how I felt watching this character and I can’t wait to pay tribute to him and spend so much time connecting emotionally with how he’s going to look and how people are going to feel.”

Janelle Monáe channels her inner self The Twilight Zone as host of AMC FearFest — see trailer and program (exclusive)

“My niece, when she sees me transformed, she smiles, she’s happy and that’s all I want to do,” he ends. “That’s what I think Halloween sets up as a playground for that.”

Monáe is set to host AMC’s horror-focused programming block, “featuring more than 700 hours of iconic horror franchises, new series, specials and more,” according to an official AMC press release.

The trailer for FearFest, which runs until October 31, shows off Monáe’s expert channeling The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock while showing off his horror movie knowledge and directing skills.

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Janelle Monae for AMC FearFest.

AMC networks

“It feels like an organic fit, especially if you know me and know my love for Halloween and horror,” she told PEOPLE of her role as host.

“When they asked me to host and be their HalloQueen, I said, ‘This is so good, because every movie you show I watch, and I’ve watched it since I was little,'” Monáe continues, adding that AMC “made outstanding work and has become a source of joy for all horror enthusiasts like myself.”

The lineup for FearFest will include classics such as Halloween, Child’s play, Carrie and Radiationas well as Monáe’s selected horror films, incl An American Werewolf in London, Candyman (1992)The Fly, Killer Clowns from Outer Space, Puppet Master, Carrie, Jeepers Creepers and more.

The full schedule for AMC’s FearFest, which runs through October 31, is available at amc.com.

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Source: HIS Education